Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Hartford. Mrs. Smith is prominent in
the social life of the city and is well known
in golf circles. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Smith are : Lucius Middlebrook,
Katharine Kemble, Sally Brinsmade. The
family attends Trinity Episcopal Church
and aids in its support.
ROBERTS, David Beaumont,
Antomobile Dealer.
One of the earliest families in Connecticut
history, the descendants of the Roberts
family are now found in several States and
are among the useful and upright citizens.
This family was founded by William
Roberts, son of Catherine Leete and a Mr.
"Robards" ; the former came from Mid-
dletown, Connecticut, and lived near the
foot of Smith's lane on the Meadow Hill,
south of the present "Bridge Road," the
main street at the time following this
meadow bank. William Roberts married
Dorothy Forbes, daughter of Captain
James Forbes, the progenitor of the
Forbes family in East Hartford, and
from her father she received six acres of
land. On this plot William Roberts built
his dwelling. In 1703 he served as the
committee of the minister's house ; in
1709 he deeded land and a saw mill and in
1729 he deeded all his land to his son Ben-
jamin. William Roberts died in 1734 or
1735. The fifth of the seven children
born to William and Dorothy (Forbes)
Roberts,
(II) Joseph Roberts, was baptized
August II, 1700, and died February 14,
1774. He married Mabel Keeney, who
died October 16, 1776, at the age of
seventy-one years.
(III) Joseph Roberts, his son, married
Thankful, daughter of David and Mary
(Hills) Forbes; she died May 28, 1820,
aged eighty years. Their son.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
(IV) Elisha Roberts was born April
15, 1762, and baptized on the eighteenth
of the same month, and died April 19,
1829. He married Sarah, daughter of
Joshua Risley, and her death occurred
November 16, 1829. Their son,
(V) Joseph Roberts was baptized August
12, 1787, and died July 7, 1838. He
married Harriet, daughter of James Smith
and was the father of
(VI) Edwin Morrison Roberts, born in
East Hartford, where he was baptized
April 4, 1819, and died in 1903. He was
one of the first manufacturers of solid
silver knives, forks and spoons in this
country, and was engaged in this business
until about twelve years before his death
when he retired. In the latter years the
business was conducted under the firm
name of Edwin M. Roberts & Son. Mr.
Roberts always resided in East Hartford
where he was active in politics, and a
leader in town afifairs. He was a member
of the Putnam Phalanx and of the East
Hartford Masonic Lodge. Mr. Roberts
married Mary Ann, daughter of Russell
Cowles of Newark, New Jersey, born in
1826, died in 1891.
(VII) Joseph William Roberts, their
son, was born February 20, 1859, and was
brought up in the environment of farm
life. He became a partner of his father in
the silver business later in life, and their
plant was located near where the present
East Hartford depot is situated. After
about four years in the silver business,
the son withdrew, and went to Bristol,
Connecticut, where he was in charge of a
silver-plating plant which he installed for
the Bristol Brass & Clock Company. Mr.
Roberts was there two years and then
returned to East Hartford where he became
associated with the J. B. Williams
Company of Glastonbury in their cutlery
department. For years he travelled for